DerekC
Established Member
Can anyone tell me which sections of NR single line infrastructure are still operated on "Tokenless Block" principles? For those interested and who don't know what that is, there is good article here; (I have copied the important bit below)
It should be noted that the 'Normal' indication is given by the needle pointing to the left, rather than being vertical in the centre as is usual with most 3-position indicators. The reason is that in this tokenless block system, unlike most 3-position block systems, there is a continual flow of electric current through the line wires to hold the indicator over to the 'Normal' position. In the event of an electrical failure, then gravity causes the needle to fall to the central 'Train In Section' position and provides a 'fail-safe' indication (this situation can be seen in the photograph, where the instrument has been disconnected). Some of the instruments were manufactured with the central legend on the indicator reading 'Line Blocked', but this has been covered by a sticky label bearing the 'Train In Section' legend.
The BR(WR) Tokenless Block instrument consists of a single-needle indicator with 3 positions (labelled 'Normal', 'Train In Section' and 'Train Accepted'), a 2-position rotary 'acceptance' switch ('Normal' and 'Accept') and two push-button switches ('Offer' and 'Train Arrived'). The block instrument betrays its BR(WR) origins, as the wooden case is similar to that used for the 'single-deck' version of their standard commutator block instrument (often used for 'permissive' instruments), and it may well be that the instruments were converted from redundant items. Block-bells are not provided with this system, as the method of operation does not require them, although in practice the signalmen tended to use the bells of the box-to-box telephones.
Basic Operation
To describe the basic operation of the system, let us assume that the signalman at box 'A' wishes to send a train to his colleague at 'B'. If the instruments are normal (and all else is in order in accordance with the Regulations) then A pushes his 'offer' button - provided that B turns his acceptance switch to 'Accept' (or has done so already), then the indicators on both instruments will go to 'Train Accepted' and the lock on the section signal at A will be released. When the train passes the section signal it will occupy a track-circuit, which causes the section signal to change to a red aspect and both block indicators to go to 'Train In Section'. When the train arrives at B and passes beyond the home signal it will operate a treadle, and occupy and then clear two track-circuits in succession - upon completion of this process a 'train arrived' condition will be registered within the system. When the signalman at B has seen the train arrive clear of the single-line complete with tail-lamp he returns his acceptance switch to 'Normal' and presses his 'Train Arrived' button - if the 'train arrived' condition has been proved then both indicators will return to 'Normal' and the block is clear.
It must be emphasised that, when A presses his 'Offer' button, there is no visual or audible indication at B that a train is being offered. The design assumption with this system was that trains would run according to the timetable, and so B would have placed his switch to 'Accept' already in anticipation. (It is possible for both signalmen to keep their switches at 'Accept', so that the first one to 'offer' gains the section.) This 'pre-acceptance' feature means that B does not have to be present in his signal-box in order for A to offer or despatch the train. If B should find it necessary subsequently to stop the train leaving A then, provided that the block is still in the 'Train Accepted' condition, he has merely to return his switch to 'Normal' - the indicators will return to 'Normal' and the release on the section signal at A will be cancelled. The section signal is normally a colour-light, so cancellation of the release causes the signal to change automatically to a red aspect, even if signalman A is not present in the signal-box to replace the signal lever. (It is permitted to have a semaphore section signal, in which case the cancellation causes a warning buzzer to sound continuously until the signal lever is returned to normal.) Conversely A can cancel his 'offer' by turning his own switch to 'Accept' temporarily, whereupon both block indicators will revert to 'Normal'.